National Agencies

National agencies in Commounwealth countries

National agencies, executive agencies, commissions, crown entities, statutory bodies or authorities are just some of the names used to collectively describe publicly-funded organisations that support ministries and parliament in promoting, monitoring, maintaining and regulating the private sector and public services in the Commonwealth. Such organisations are established by, and usually carry out roles, mandated by an Act of Parliament. Ultimately answerable to the head of government, a relevant minister or parliament, their degree of autonomy varies from country to country and from one body to another. They include tourism promotion agencies, telecommunication regulators, media commissions, utility regulators, civil aviation authorities, examination bodies, export processing zone authorities, central banks and financial services authorities.

Commonwealth initiatives

Pan-Commonwealth bodies working in this area of public administration include the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Governance and Institutional Development Division, Commonwealth Association for Corporate Governance and the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management.